Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII
740.00119 FEAC/4–446
The Secretary General of the Far Eastern Commission (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
restricted
Washington, 4 April 1946.
My Dear Mr. Secretary: The Terms of Reference of the Ear Eastern Commission provide that one of the functions of the Commission should be to “formulate the policies, principles and standards in conformity with which the fulfillment by Japan of its obligations under the terms of surrender may be accomplished.”
It is further provided that when such decisions are made by the Far Eastern Commission, “The United States Government shall prepare directives in accordance with the policy decisions of the Commission and shall transmit them to the Supreme Commander through the appropriate United States Government agency.”
At a meeting of the Far Eastern Commission held at 2516 Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C. on 3 April 1946 the enclosed policy decision was unanimously agreed to.
As Secretary General of the Far Eastern Commission, I have been instructed to forward this decision to you on behalf of the Commission, in order that the appropriate directives may be prepared and [Page 424] transmitted to the Supreme Commander in accordance with the Terms of Reference.61
As there was some discussion in the Commission as to the bearing this policy decision might be construed to have upon the status of the Japanese Emperor, I am enclosing for information and guidance in the preparation of an appropriate directive to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers an excerpt from the minutes of the Commission’s meeting. Reference is to paragraph 17 of the original United States directive to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers on Identification, Apprehension and Trial of Persons Suspected of War Crimes,62 which reads:
“17. You will take no action against the Emperor as a war criminal pending receipt of a special directive concerning his treatment.”
Respectfully yours,
Nelson Trusler Johnson
https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1946v08/d334
Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII
740.00119 FEAC/4𤮮
The Secretary General of the Far Eastern Commission (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
restricted
Washington, 4 April 1946.
My Dear Mr. Secretary: The Terms of Reference of the Ear Eastern Commission provide that one of the functions of the Commission should be to “formulate the policies, principles and standards in conformity with which the fulfillment by Japan of its obligations under the terms of surrender may be accomplished.”
It is further provided that when such decisions are made by the Far Eastern Commission, “The United States Government shall prepare directives in accordance with the policy decisions of the Commission and shall transmit them to the Supreme Commander through the appropriate United States Government agency.”
At a meeting of the Far Eastern Commission held at 2516 Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C. on 3 April 1946 the enclosed policy decision was unanimously agreed to.
As Secretary General of the Far Eastern Commission, I have been instructed to forward this decision to you on behalf of the Commission, in order that the appropriate directives may be prepared and [Page 424] transmitted to the Supreme Commander in accordance with the Terms of Reference.61
As there was some discussion in the Commission as to the bearing this policy decision might be construed to have upon the status of the Japanese Emperor, I am enclosing for information and guidance in the preparation of an appropriate directive to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers an excerpt from the minutes of the Commission’s meeting. Reference is to paragraph 17 of the original United States directive to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers on Identification, Apprehension and Trial of Persons Suspected of War Crimes,62 which reads:
“17. You will take no action against the Emperor as a war criminal pending receipt of a special directive concerning his treatment.”
Respectfully yours,
Nelson Trusler Johnson
https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1946v08/d334